7. The weight of choices

Daniel stood over the fallen leader, breathing steadily as he took in the situation. The fight had been tough, but now a wave of calm washed over him. He needed to act quickly. With one last look at the unconscious biker, he turned and sprinted back to the van.

Once there, he rummaged through the back and found a sturdy length of rope he had come across earlier in the Void. It was just what he needed to secure his captives. Adrenaline pumped through his veins as he hurried back to the clearing, quickly getting to work tying the three unconscious men to sturdy trees. His heart raced as he focused on the task; he needed to make sure they wouldn't wake up and threaten him. The ropes were tight but not cruel; he just wanted to incapacitate them for now.

With the bikers secured, Daniel took a moment to catch his breath, his senses still on high alert. He quickly searched their pockets, hoping to find something useful. He was in a tricky situation, and any little thing could help him. As he rummaged through their clothes, he felt a mix of hope and worry. He could hear the rustling of leaves, the distant hum of the Void, and the low buzz of energy around him, heightened by the close call.

After a few moments of searching, Daniel struck gold: two flasks of beer, a chocolate bar, and a worn but intact map. He tucked these items away into his van, feeling satisfied. While the beer and chocolate were nice finds, the map had the potential for much more. It could reveal paths, hideouts, or even resources he hadn't yet discovered in this vast, uncharted wilderness.

With his supplies stowed away, Daniel's thoughts turned to the bikers' vehicles. He needed fuel, and their bikes looked like a good source. He rushed toward the bikes, scanning them for a way to siphon the fuel.

As he approached, Daniel quickly checked the bikes' fuel tanks and found the access points. He grabbed an empty container from the van and set to work, using a piece of tubing he found near the bikes to siphon the fuel out.

He filled the container until it was nearly full, securing it carefully so it wouldn't spill, and carried it back to his van. The extra fuel would ensure he could escape if needed. The thrill of danger still tingled in his veins, but now he felt he had the upper hand.

With the bikers incapacitated and some useful supplies gathered, Daniel climbed into his van, glancing back at the tied-up men. He had taken the necessary precautions, but he knew he couldn't let his guard down. The Void was unpredictable, and he had no idea what other dangers lurked nearby.

Sitting in the driver's seat, the engine rumbling beneath him, Daniel's mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts. He had just subdued the bikers, their bodies slumped against the trees he had bound them to. Yet, a dark temptation tugged at him, whispering sinister possibilities. Killing them would be so easy. They were unconscious, completely at his mercy, and he could silence any potential threats before they ever had a chance to wake.

He could already picture the benefits: without these three to report back to their leader, he could buy himself time and distance. They had seen his face in the heat of the moment, a careless mistake that could haunt him. Eliminating them now would not only ensure his safety but would also prevent any retaliation from whatever organization they belonged to. In this brutal landscape of the Void, survival often depended on ruthless decisions, and the bikers, while ordinary, surely had connections that could be dangerous.

Yet, despite all the logical reasons screaming in his head, he found himself frozen in place. He wasn't a killer. In his previous life, he had lived in a society where taking a life was a grave crime, a line that couldn't be crossed without serious consequences. Sure, his world had its conflicts, but murder had never been an option. The thought of becoming someone who could easily extinguish lives filled him with dread.

Leaning back in his seat, the leather cold against his back, he wrestled with his feelings. The Marvel Universe was harsh and unforgiving, a place where violence was often the answer. Yet he couldn't shake the belief that killing was a serious matter, not to be taken lightly. Would he really be able to kill these men, who had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time?

"If they decide to come after me, if they threaten me or anyone else," he muttered, the words tasting bitter, "then I won't hesitate."

It felt like a weak justification, a way to cling to his fading morality. But as he made that promise to himself, he knew he couldn't kill them now—not in this moment, not while he was still grappling with his identity in this world.

He sighed deeply, his thoughts racing. He knew that one day he might have to confront his hesitation, when survival would demand he take a life. But he wasn't ready for that yet.

"Let the future Daniel handle this," he whispered, finding a strange comfort in passing the burden to a version of himself that might be stronger or more resolute.

A laugh bubbled up from his throat, tinged with irony. He remembered the countless novels and fanfictions he had read in his previous life, often criticizing protagonists who hesitated in such critical moments.

'How could he be so naive? How could he be so stupid? Such a passive guy,' he would think, scolding them for sparing those who could turn on them later. But now, sitting in the van surrounded by the quiet rustling of the Void, he felt a strange kinship with those characters. They were flawed, caught between their moral codes and the harsh realities of their worlds, and here he was, living that very dilemma.

As Daniel's laughter faded, a heavy silence settled around him. He felt the weight of the map he had discovered pressing against his leg, reminding him that there were still paths to explore and opportunities waiting for him. Perhaps he could uncover allies or resources that would help him navigate this dangerous existence. He needed to focus on what was immediately important: escape and survival.

With one last glance at the tied-up bikers, Daniel steeled himself. The weight of his indecision still lingered, but he had made his choice, for now.

He quickly opened the map, scanning its surface for vital information. As he studied the intricate details, he realized it marked locations spanning about 5,000 miles around a central base—likely belonging to whatever organization the three men were part of. The map was a testament to exploration, expanding as new areas were charted. It was color-coded: green for safe zones, orange for slightly dangerous areas, and red for forbidden zones.

Wasting no time, he pinpointed his current location, marked as the "Graveyard of Automobiles." He recalled the numerous broken vehicles scattered across the landscape and felt relieved knowing he could navigate from here. Various names dotted the map, but after careful thought, he decided to head to a green location about 50 miles away from the base.

Given the forest's proximity—approximately 100 miles from the base—staying here felt like a bad idea. He was grateful for the fuel he had siphoned from the bikers' bikes, which would allow him to make the journey without hesitation.

Daniel traced the route on the map to a place called Ruby Rainwood. He chose this location because he believed the unique energy from the vibrant red flowers in the forest could enhance his physique using his ability, Eternal Catalyst.

The flowers thrived even under the constant clouds and rain, which meant they might hold some hidden power or perhaps there was a concentration of strange energy in that area. Although he wasn't sure about it, this was the best choice he could come up with after considering everything for a while.

"Ruby Rainwood, here I come," he said softly, as the van rolled steadily toward his destination.

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